Mechanical pencil



May 23, 1933. A. LANolE MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed Deo. 24,

ZES.

@f7/aia Patented May 23, 1933 UNITE STATES LOUIS A. LANOIE, OIF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND MECHANICAL PENCIL Application led December 24, 1931.

My invention relates to mechanical pencils and includes certain novel features of construction thereof.

One feature of my invention relates to the provision of a metallic band separating the cap member of the pencil from the barrel portion thereof and the means I employ to secure said band to either the barrel or cap portion and the means I preferably employ to secure an annular film of more precious metal over said band.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in the type of pencil wherein rotation of the cap member rotates the rotary parts of 'i5 the lead advancing mechanism to cause advancement of the lead therein and for this purpose I preferably provide a reeded turning tube so that the friction of the cap thereover may more readily turn it and I also v 2@ provide a novel method of securing the turning tube to the rotatable portion of the lead advancing mechanism.

My invention is also particularly adapted for use in the type of mechanical pencil wherein the lower barrel portion is relatively stationary and includes a specifically novel type of means to secure said' barrel portion to the relatively stationary part of the lead advancing mechanism by means of simultaneously screwing a point bushing within the lower end of said barrel portion and to the stationary portion of the lead advancing mechanism to form the three portions of the n relatively stationary portion of the pencil,

o5 namely, the stationary portion of the lead advancing mechanism, the barrel portion and the point bushing into the relatively stationary unit of the mechanical pencil.

My invention relates to a type of lead advancing mechanism in mechanical pencils having a longitudinally slotted stationary lead carrier receiving tube and a relatively rotatable helically slotted turning tube of means to secure the turning lug of the lead carrier below the end of the helically slotted tube to permit the turning lug of the lead advance ejecting rod to screw entirely down the lower end of the lead advancing tube to relatively advance the lead ejecting rod with- Serial No. 583,010.

in thetubular lead carrier to eject the lead therefrom.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of an embodiment thereof such as is shown in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mechanical pencil embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower end of said pencil with the lead drawn within as distinguished from Fig. 2 65 wherein the lead ejecting rod is ejecting the lead end from the point end of the pencil.

Fig. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the component parts of my invention.

In the drawing, wherein like characters IGl of reference indicate like parts throughout,

10 generally indicates a mechanical pencil constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention.

My improved mechanical pencil 10 prefer- 75 ably includes a lead advancing mechanism including relatively stationary parts and movable parts rotatable relative to said stationary parts to advance the lead. The stationary parts include a receiving tube 12 provided with the longitudinal slot 14 therein and the movable parts include a helically slotted turning tube 16 provided with a helical slot 18 therein rotatably mounted on said receiving tube 12. A tubular lead carrier 2O is longitudinally slidable within said receiving tube 12 and is provided with a lead receiving lower end 22 into which the upper end of the lead is adapted to be inserted and a radial turning lug 24 in the center thereof adapted to ride in the groove 14 in the longitudinally slotted receiving tube 12 and the helical groove 18 in the helically slotted turning tube 16 to a position in said receiving tube below the lower end of said ielically slotted turning tube 16. Said tubular lead carrier is also provided with an axial slot 26 extending upwards from said lug 24 to near the upper end thereof of a length substantially the difference between the winds of the helical slot in said turning tube 16. A lead ejecting rod 28 axially slidable within said tubularI lead carrier is also provided having a lower lead ejecting end 30 and a radial turning lug 32 near the upper end thereof adapted to always ride in the helical slot 18 in said turning tube and longitudinal slot 14 in said receiving tube to advance said lead ej ecting rod within and relative to said lead carrier to eject the lead end. The lead advancing` mechanism also normally includes a stop collar 82 mounted on the upper end of the longitudinally slotted tube 12 to limit the axial upper movement of said helically slotted turning tube. Such type of lead advancing mechanism is old and is shown more particularly in my Patent No. 1,790,430, issued January 27,

1931, reference to which is hereby made for further details thereof.

My present invention includes a novel type of means which may be readily fabricated for securing these parts of the lead advancing mechanism to the other parts of the pencil and for spacing the lower end of the helically slotted turning tube 16 so that the turning lug 24 of the tubular lead carrier may project below said turning tube 16 within the mechanism. Said means includes a friction plug 84 having an annular stop portion 86 into which a stop washer 88 may be inserted if desired and an upper end 89 flaring outwardly therefrom. l also provide a bridge bushing 4() having a lower end adapted to rotatably rest on the annular stop portion 86 of said friction plug, a grooved center portion 42 and an upper colf lar portion preferably having a knurled periphery for a purpose to be described secured to said helically slotted turning tube to rotate therewith and to space the lower end of the helically slidable rotatable turning tube from said annular stop portion 36 of said friction plug to permit the lug 24 of the tubular lead carrier to rest therein while the lug 32 of the lead ejecting rod 28 is traveling downwards within the helical groove 18 of the helically slotted turning tube to cause the lead ejecting point 8'() of the lead ejecting rod 28 to eject the lead end from the lower end 22 of the tubular lead carrier 20. lVhile any means may be provided for this purpose I preferably provide the projection 46 near the lower end of said helically slotted turning tube 16 adapted to rest in a slot 48 in the upper' surface of the collar 44 of the bridge bushing to limit the downward movement of said helically slotted tube 16 within said friction plug 84 or the spacing heretofore referred to and to secure said bridge bushing to said helically slotted tube to cause rotation of said helically slotted tube on rotation of said bridge bushing.

To secure the relatively stationary longitudinally slotted tube to the other relatively stationary parts of the pencil I provide a bushing 50 preferably externally threaded as at 52 for a purpose to be described rigidly secured as by solder to said receiving tube 12 below said friction plug 34. As an additional turning member 1 provide the turning tube 54 preferably longitudinally reeded as at 56 and adapted to have its lower end 58 attached to said bridge bushing 40 preferably by having said lower end 58 crimped within the groove 42 of said bridge bushing over said lrnurled collar 44. Said turning tube 54 may be provided if desired with the central plug 6() therein abutting the upper end of said longitudinally slotted tube 12 to form a spare lead receiving chamber 62 and eraser holder 64 in the upper end thereof. It is thus obvious that with this construction the eraser 66 may be removed from the upper end thereof and spare leads 68 inserted within said spare lead receiving chamber 62.

As an outer exposed portion of the Vstationary part of my mechanical pencil l provide the outer barrel portion 70 extending upwardly a substantial distance along said reeded tube and adapted to frictionally receive the flaring upper end of said friction plug to secure said friction plug and connected receiving tube to said barrel portion against rotational movement therein.

A further feature of my invention spelicically relates to the means l preferably employ to secure the friction plug 40 and connected longitudinally slotted receiving tube 12 to said barrel portion 7 O against relative longitudinal movement. To this purpose l internally thread the lower end of said barrel portion as at 72 and I provide a point bushing 74 tapered to a lower lead advancing end 76 having an upper end 78 externally threaded as at 8O for engagement with the internally threaded lower end 72 of said barrel portion 70 and internally threaded as at 82 with threads 82 of the same hand pitch as said external threads 80 for simultaneous engagement with said externally threaded screw bushings to connect said barrel portion to said friction plug 40 and receiving tube 12 to form the stationary unit of said pencil, whereby on rotation of said connected turning tube 54 and helically slotted tube 16 said lead carrier may advance within said receiving tube. It is thus apparent that l have provided a construction wherein the entire exposed lower portion of the pencil includes the stationary unit of the pencil.

l also provide a cap member 84 for my pencil in the specific embodiment shown adapted to be frictionally secured over the upper end 86 of said turning tube 54 to cause rotation thereof on rotation of said cap.

My invention relates to the provision of an ornamented band member between the relatively movable and relatively stationary exposed parts of the mechanical pencil, andl for this purpose I provide a drive bushing 88 having the roughened interior 94 for driving engagement with said reeded tube 54 and a collar portion 92 which may have its periphery ornamented as desired spacing said cap 84 from said barrel portion 70. Said band or collar portion 92 is provided with an extension 93 preferably having a knurled periphery 94 to frictionally retain it within one of said members, in the embodiment shown to frictionally retain it within said cap member 84. I also provide a novel type of means for securing a thin sheet of more precious metal over the exposed band member which may be readily pressed out of thin flat sheet stock and for this purpose I provide an annular thin sheet 9G of more precious metal slipped over the periphery of said collar portion and having an annular inwardly projecting'stop portion 98 abutting the upper and outer surfaces of said collar and lower surface of said cap 84 to firmly secure said thin sheet to said collar.

It is thus obvious that I have provided a novel type of mechanical pencil having the advantages portrayed above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

l. In a mechanical pencil having a lead advancing mechanism including a longitudinally slotted receiving tube, a helically slotted tube rotatably mounted on said receiving tube, a tubular lead carrier longitudinally slidable within said receiving tube having a lead receiving lower end, a radial turning lug near the center portion thereof adapted to ride in said groove in said helically slotted tube to a lower position below said tube and an axial slot therein extending upwards from said lug to near the Lipper end thereof of a length substantially the distance between the winds of the helical slot in said turning tube and a lead ejecting rod axially slidable within said tubular lead carrier having a lower lead ejecting end, a radial turning lug near the upper end thereof adapted to always ride in the helical slot in said turning tube to advance said ejecting rod within and relative to said lead carrier to eject the lead end and a stop collar on said longitudinally slotted tube to limit the axial upward movement of said helically slotted tube, a friction plug having an annular stop portion, and an upper end iaring outwardly therefrom rigidly secured to said receiving tube near the lower end thereof, a bridge bushing having a lower end adapted to rotatably rest on the annular stop portion of said friction-plug, a grooved center portion and an upper collar portion non-rotatably secured to vsaid helically slotted tube and projecting beyond the same to space the lower end of said helically slotted tube from the upper surface of said stop portion of said friction plug so that the turning lug of said tubular lead carrier may be received in said space while the lug of the lead advancing tube i s l being further downwardly advanced'by said 'helically slotted tube to discharge the lead end.

2. In a mechanical pencil, a lead advancing mechanism including stationary parts and movable parts rotatable relative to said stationary parts to advance the lead, a turning tube rigidly secured to said rotatable parts, an externally threaded bushing rigidly secured to said stationary parts, an outer barrel portion having an internally threaded lower end, a point bushing having a lower end tapered and an upper end externally threaded for engagement with the internally threaded lower end of said barrel portion and internally threaded with threads of the same hand pitch as said external threads for simultaneous engagement with said externally threaded screw bushing to connect said barrel portion to said stationary parts to form the stationary unit of said pencil, whereby on rotation of said connected turning tube and movable parts said lead carrier may advance within said receiving tube.

3. In a mechanical pencil having a lead advancing mechanism including a longitudinally slotted receiving tube, a helically slotted tube rotatably mounted on said receiving tube, a tubular lead carrier longitudinally slidable within said receiving tube having a lead receiving lower end, a radial turning lug near the center portion thereof adapted. to ride in said groove in said helically slotted tube to a lower position below said tube and an axial slot therein extending upwards from said lug to near the upper end thereof of a length substantially the distance between the winds of the helical slot in said turning tube and a lead ejecting rod axially slidable within said tubular lead carrier having a lower lead ejecting end, a radial turning lug near the upper end thereof adapted to always ride in the helical slot in said turning tube to advance said ejecting rod within and relative to said lead carrier to eject the lead end and means on said longitudinally slotted tube to limit the axial movement of said helically slotted tube, a friction plug having an annular stop portion, and an upper end flaring outwardly therefrom, rigidly secured to said receiving tube near the lower end thereof, a bridge bushing having a lower end adapted to rotatably rest on the annular stop portion of said friction plug, and an upper collar portion non-rotatably secured to said helically slotted tube and projecting beyond the Asame t0 space the lower end of said helically slotted tube from the upper surface of said stop portion of said friction plug to receive the 5 turning lug of said tubular lead carrier while the lug of the lead advancing tube is being further downwardly advanced by said helically slotted tube to discharge en In testimony whereof I aHx my LOUS A. LA

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